There were a welcome and deserved three points for Alton last Saturday as they won 2-1 at home to Chipstead in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
Alton might have led on 11 minutes when a slick break down the right ended with Adam Poynter volleying just over the bar from ten yards.
With the home side dominating, a desperate challenge in the box blocked a goal bound shot from Mal Thomas after the visitors’ defence was again breached down the right.
Russell was next to be thwarted, this time by a really good save by the keeper, before eventually Alton gained the lead. Owen Tanner reacted quickest to a wayward pass, strode forward and shot home from 18 yards.
The home keeper was rarely troubled but he had to be alert to gather a free kick at the near post.
There was still time for the home side to create another opportunity, with Tom Hill shooting just over.
Alton deservedly extended their lead on 50 minutes. Marshall and Russell linked up to find Tanner in the box and he turned his marker before shooting into the far corner of the net.
Alton were now well on top but somehow found themselves pegged back just after the hour. An error of judgement by the home keeper allowed Chipstead a simple goal.
The last 25 minutes was broken up by some niggly fouls which suited the visitors most and stopped the flow of the game, which still had Alton dominating.
Alton put the home crowd through some anxious moments late in the game, but an overdue win was a reward for the home side, who continue to play and work hard despite having been on the wrong end of some tough luck for some time now.
Alton’s next game is away to Sheerwater on December 14.
